The medieval center of Gavorrano rises on the side of Mount Calvo in the
heart of the Grosseto Maremma with a splendid view of sea and hills.
It was an important mining center and the stone quarries and
infrastructure for its excavation are still visible in the area. Today a
part of the abandoned mining structures has been converted into a large
museum complex: the Parco Minerario and Naturalistico di Gavorrano
(Mining and Naturalistic Park of Gavorrano) which is incorporated within
the larger project of the Parco Tecnologico ed Archeologico delle
Colline Metallifere Grossetane (Tecnological and Archeological Park of
the Grosseto Metalliferous Hills). This project provides an important
contribution to the cultural and tourist revival of the territory.
The land and castle were administered by the noble family,
Pannocchieschi in the 13th century. It is said it was here that Count
Nello killed his wife, the Sienese Pia de’ Tolomei, whose fate was
described by Dante Alighieri in Canto V of “Purgatory” (“Siena mi fè,
disfecimi Maremma” “Siena gave me life, Maremma took it away”).
Every August, in memory of this event, a pageant called “Salto della
Contessa” (the Countess’s Leap) is held in the historical center of
the town with a parade in Medieval costume, pennant throwing
exhibitions, a horse race and a theatrical performance.
The town’s medieval architecture has been conserved in the castle, the
arches, the gates, the city walls and the turreted palaces. Gavorrano
and its nearby medieval centers, Caldana, Ravi, Giuncarico and the Rocca
of Castel di Pietra, offer splendid itineraries within a
historical-artistic and naturalistic setting.
The ancient spa, Bagno di Gavorrano is the most populated town in the
district today and is certainly worth a visit.
